Results 10,281-10,300 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to make a short contribution on this important report. I was glad the request by the Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson, Deputy McConalogue, to have this important issue brought before the House was acceded to by the Minister and Government. On Deputy Cowen's remarks in regard to the forthcoming referendum on children's rights, the Minister will recall that I, when...

Written Answers — Third Level Remuneration: Third Level Remuneration (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to address academic salaries and pay rises that were not agreed by him or the Higher Education Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34767/11]

Written Answers — Third Level Funding: Third Level Funding (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he intends to accommodate increasing numbers of students at third level in view of the recent announcement that no new capital projects will be given the go ahead at third level over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35175/11]

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 110: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the fact the existing accommodation is inadequate and substantial costs are also incurred in renting additional accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/11]

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's statement that the capital budget will be spent, and overspent. With the savings he is able to move around there must be plenty of money in other parts of his Department.

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Certain areas were generously funded. The Minister stated that 80% goes to the school building programme. Is the remainder for ICT?

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Yes.

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: It is a substantial programme-----

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: -----and we all know there is a huge amount of work going on throughout the country. The Minister gave approval for the minor works grant. That was a matter of concern to people throughout the country. School principals spoke to me about the importance of the minor works grant and I believe the Minister notified them last week that the grant would be paid for the year 2011-12, which I...

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I share the Minister's attitude towards the increase in population. We all fully appreciate and are heartened by this positive development. The Minister must obtain a better return on taxpayers' money. A better system for delivering new schools is available. I am sure the Minister has available to him the prototype for delivery in regard to design. Many of the unnecessary costs and...

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: The case in Monaghan to which the Minister referred is a great example of what can be achieved in a speedy manner. County Cavan VEC is also delivering new school buildings for the Department from a delegated function.

Departmental Expenditure (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I got a few second preference votes in Monaghan.

Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Question 10: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of the 475 special needs assistant posts that were withheld, have been allocated to date; and if he will give a commitment that the 475 special needs assistants will be allocated by the end of the year. [34760/11]

Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for providing an update on this important issue. Some media commentary has been unfair to the Department and National Council for Special Education given the significant progress that has been made in providing special needs assistants. The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, spoke in the House about the remarkable progress that has been made in this regard in the...

Special Educational Needs (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: One issue that repeatedly crops up - I am sure the Minister has heard concerns expressed about it by colleagues in the House - is a perception that needs assessments lack consistency. If this issue were addressed, it would allay the genuine fears of many parents, families and public representatives.

Third Level Remuneration (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I would be disappointed if there were no instant responses to the Minister's calls for volunteers on this issue. I hope that people volunteer quickly. I had an earlier question and the reply was somewhat different to the reply given by the Minister. It states that under section 25(4) of the Universities Act 1997, the remuneration of fees, allowances and...

Vocational Education Committees (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: The Minister knows that I have been supportive of the general rationalisation of vocational education committees and the developments in further education.

Vocational Education Committees (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: One issue that has arisen is security of employment. Where sub-offices have been established, the employees in the VECs are anxious to know if this is a short-term measure. When the time span of the Croke Park agreement is complete, will those employees be protected and remain in the newly established sub-offices? In some cases there is a large distance to be travelled to the newly...

Vocational Education Committees (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: Is the Minister considering any existing VEC headquarters for designation as a sub-office?

School Curriculum (16 Nov 2011)

Brendan Smith: What are the main recommendations of the report referred to in the freagra?